Indian Councils Acts Overview

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Questions and Answers

What did the term 'Mother India' symbolize for the extremists?

A religious movement only

A call for violent revolution

A united power of millions (correct)

An extension of British rule

What was one of the primary beliefs of the moderates regarding British rule?

Independence could be achieved through military means

Britain should relinquish all power immediately

All Indians should oppose British governance

British rule could be reformed within (correct)

What method did extremists primarily employ for political work?

Petitions and memorials

Constitutional agitation within the law

Passive resistance and boycotts (correct)

Formal negotiations with British officials

Which of the following was a later demand of the extremists?

Complete independence for India Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the reasons for the rise of militant nationalism?

Recognition of the true nature of British rule Signup and view all the answers

How did extremists view India's connection with the British?

As a continuation of exploitation Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect distinguished moderates from extremists?

Belief in constitutional reforms Signup and view all the answers

What type of political influence did moderates draw from?

Western political ideas and practices Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main demands of the early nationalists regarding the Legislative Councils?

Majority of Indians in the councils Signup and view all the answers

What did the Indian Councils Act of 1892 allow the councils to do?

Discuss the annual budgets Signup and view all the answers

Why did early nationalists demand Indianisation of higher administrative services?

To decrease the cost of administration Signup and view all the answers

What was the economic concern regarding European officials in the administration?

They took a significant portion of their salaries to England Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary slogan raised by the nationalists concerning taxation?

No taxation without representation Signup and view all the answers

Which country's political model did Indian nationalists look to for inspiration for self-government?

Canada Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main criticisms of the Indian Councils Act of 1892 by the nationalists?

It retained the official majority Signup and view all the answers

During the first phase of Indian nationalism, what type of demands did the moderates make?

Modest reforms and increased representation Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary social class represented in the Indian National Congress during its early years?

Middle class Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a primary objective of the early nationalists in India?

Gradual constitutional reforms Signup and view all the answers

How did the early nationalists hope to unify Indians?

By disregarding caste and regional identities Signup and view all the answers

Who represented the extremist or radical nationalists during the early nationalist movement?

Bal Gangadhar Tilak Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant caution taken by the early nationalist leaders?

To ensure their demands did not lead to suppression Signup and view all the answers

In what way did early nationalists aim to educate the Indian public?

By organizing public opinion Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the immediate demands of the early nationalists?

Administrative reorganization Signup and view all the answers

What did the early nationalists believe regarding India's path to self-government?

It should be a gradual process Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change implemented by the Indian Councils Act of 1861?

Increased the number of members in the Executive Council from 4 to 5. Signup and view all the answers

Who were mainly the non-official members of the legislative council before the Indian Councils Act of 1861?

Ruling princes, their diwans, or big landlords. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main criticisms of the Indian members of the legislative council during the British administration?

Their presence was not proportional to the Indian population. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Indian Councils Act of 1892 concerning the legislative council?

To include a minimum of half non-official members. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a limitation of the legislative council formed after the Indian Councils Act of 1861?

Members were largely nominated and not elected by the people. Signup and view all the answers

How many Indians were nominated to the council by Lord Canning in 1862?

Three Indian members. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the intensification of discontent against foreign rule during Lytton’s viceroyalty?

The uncritical glorification of India’s past by some nationalists. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the sessions held by the Indian National Congress concerning the administrative demands?

Increased electoral representation for Indians. Signup and view all the answers

Which law did Lord Ripon attempt to pass in 1883?

A law to enable Indian judges to try Europeans in criminal cases. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial number of members in the legislative council before the changes imposed by the Indian Councils Act of 1892?

10 members. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the limitations of Lord Ripon’s policies?

Constraints imposed by the very nature of British rule in India. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the agitation against the Ilbert Bill by Europeans in India?

The Bill was amended to address European concerns. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the reaction of the British government to the Indian campaign for the Ilbert Bill?

Amending the Bill after realizing its significance. Signup and view all the answers

How did Lytton’s viceroyalty affect the national consciousness of Indians?

It deepened their sense of discontent towards foreign rule. Signup and view all the answers

What initiative did Lord Ripon take to strengthen British rule in India?

Encouraging local self-government institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What did the European opposition to the Ilbert Bill reveal about racial attitudes in colonial India?

A strong belief in the superiority of European legal authority. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Indian Councils Act of 1861

Increased members in the Governor-General's Executive Council from 4 to 5
The Governor-General was authorized to add 6 to 12 members for legislative purposes for two years.
The expanded council was referred to as the Imperial Legislative Council.
At least half of the council had to be non-officials, both European and Indian, not in the service of the Crown.
In 1862, Lord Canning nominated three Indians to the council.

The Indian Councils Act of 1892

The first session of the Indian National Congress demanded changes to the administration, which resulted in the passage of the Act of 1892.
Increased the number of members in the legislative council from 10 to 16.
The Act of 1892 increased the number of non-official members in the Imperial Legislative Council and the provincial councils, but an official majority was retained.
The councils were permitted to discuss the annual budgets, but were unable to vote on them.

Ilbert Bill Controversy

An effort to remove racial discrimination in the legal system.
In 1883, Riopn passed a law to enable Indian district magistrates and session judges to try Europeans in criminal cases.
The Europeans in India organized a vehement agitation against this Bill.
The Government of India bowed before the Europeans and amended the Bill.
Indians organized an all-India campaign in favor of the Bill.

Early Nationalist Leaders

The Congress programme during its first phase (1885-1905) was modest.
Moderates demanded a greater share of Indians in the administration.
The early leaders of India were fully aware that India had just begun the process of becoming a nation.

Demands of Moderates

The Congress programme during the first phase (1885-1905) was modest.
Moderates demanded a greater share of Indians in the administration.
They wanted a larger share in the government of their own country and demanded the expansion and reform of the Legislative Councils.
Demanded the Indianization of the higher grades of administrative services.

Rise Of Militant Nationalism

Militant Nationalism rose as a result of a recognition of the True Nature of British Rule.
The following factors contributed to the rise of militant nationalism:
- The Ilbert Bill controversy and its result.
- The extremist leaders utilized religious symbols to evoke the masses.

Moderate Nationalism (1885-1905)

The early nationalists made an effort:
- to organize public opinion in the country.
- to formulate popular demands country-wide so that emerging public opinion would have an all-India focus.
The moderates hoped to win freedom through gradual steps.
The moderates (early nationalists) believed that India should eventually move towards democratic self-government.
Moderates believed in appeals to the British.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the nationalist leaders advanced further.
They put forward the claim for swarajya or self-government within the British Empire on the model of self-governing colonies like Australia and Canada.

Extremists

Did not believe in appeals to the British.
Denied that India could progress under the benevolent guidance and control of the English.
Believed in the capacity of the people and demanded self-sacrifice from the youth.
Connection with the British would perpetuate the British exploitation of India.
Believed in actions and methods other than meetings, petitions, memorials, and speeches in the legislative councils.

Lord Ripon

Governor-General of India from 1880-84.
Wanted to harness the talents of the educated classes to strengthen British Rule.

Lord Lytton

Viceroyalty intensified discontent against foreign rule and contributed to the growth of national consciousness.
Strengthened the British monopoly on the higher grades of services in the administration.

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Description

Explore the key features and impacts of the Indian Councils Acts of 1861 and 1892. This quiz covers the expansion of legislative councils and the inclusion of Indians in governance. Test your knowledge on the evolution of British administrative policies in India.